1 Alfred Nobel, a Swede who invented dynamite, so regretted his contribution to warfare that he decided to offer five prizes annually "to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." The winners are announced this month.
2 Nobel may have been inspired by a premature obituary in a French newspaper that dubbed him a "merchant of death."
3 King Oscar of Sweden tried to persuade Alfred's nephew Emanuel to change the philanthropist's will, saying, "It is your duty to your sisters and brothers . . . to see to it that their interests are not neglected in favor of some fantastic ideas of your uncle."
4 Nobel nominees are never announced, and all records are sealed for 50 years.
5 Don't even think about it: Self-nominations are automatically disqualified.
6 Only 11 women have won science Nobels out of the 508 awarded in ...
